DEVELOPMENT OF FACE
Dr. Saleem Shaikh
Introduction

The development of face is a very complex process
which involves the interaction of many factors.

The face develops during the 5th to 7th week of
intrauterine life.

Two prominent bulgings can be seen on the ventral
aspect of the embryo – developing brain and the
pericardial bulge.

These two bulgings are seperated by the stomatodaeum.

The floor of the stomatodaeum is formed by the
buccopharyngeal membrane.

Mesoderm covering the developing brain proliferates
and forms a downward projection that overlaps the
upper part of stomatodaeum – frontonasal process.

The pharyngeal arches are also very closely located.

The first pharyngeal arch - mandibular arch forms the
lateral wall of the stomatodaeum .

This arch gives a bud on its dorsal surface – forms the
maxillary process

The remaining part of the arch is now called as
mandibular process.

The ectoderm overlying the frontonasal process
shows bilateral localized thickenings – nasal
placodes

These placodes soon sink below the surface to form
nasal pits, these pits are continuous with
stomatodaeum.

The edges of the pit are raised and the medial edge
is known as mesial nasal process and the distal is
known as distal nasal process.
Lower lip

The mandibular
process on both sides
grow towards each
other and meet at the
midline.

This gives rise to lower
lip and mandible
Upper lip

The maxillary process grows medially and fuses
first with the the lateral nasal process and then
with the medial nasal process.

The medial and lateral nasal process also fuse with
each other.

The maxillary process grows considerably and the
frontonasal process becomes narrower – the nares
come close to each other
The nose

The nose is formed by the frontonasal, medial nasal
and lateral nasal process.

The frontonasal process becomes narrower and forms
the nasal septum.

A groove appears between the nose and forebrain.

The nasal pits deepen to form nasal sacs and
communicates with the stomatodaeum.

The lateral wall of the nose is derived from lateral
nasal process
Cheeks

After formation of the upper and lower lips the
stomatodaeum is very broad.

the maxillary and the mandibular process fuse
with each other to form the cheeks.

The maxillary process fuses with the lateral nasal
process, this fusion extends to the medial angle of
the developing eye; naso-optic furrow or
nasolacrimal sulcus contains the nasolacrimal duct.
Eye

It is first seen as an
ectodermal thickening
- lens placode.

The lens placode sinks
below the surface and
forms a bulging

The bulgings of the eye
are directed laterally
and later then they
come to face forwards.